Cigar Info
General Cigar Company launched a new installment of the Toraño Cigars’ Exodus line at the 2016 IPCPR trade show, simply named, Exodus. This line has been around for years and commemorates the Exodus of cigar families from Cuba and their impact on the cigar industry after the nationalization of all tobacco farms and cigar factories by the Cuban government in 1959. The Toraño family, for whom the brand is named for was one of those families. The blend of the Toraño | Exodus Robusto (2016) features a proprietary seco priming leaf from the Honduran valley of San Agustin. This cigar includes a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and fillers from Mexico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. It is being released in four vitolas: Robusto, Toro Grande, Torpedo, and Gigante. Each of the sizes come in 20 check boxes.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Since 2001, there have been five releases under the Exodus line. It was launched in 2001 back when the brand was known as Carlos Toraño with the Carlos Toraño Exodus 1959 (Gold). In 2002 they released the Carlos Toraño Exodus 1959 Silver. Seven years later in 2009, a third installment was made to commemorate fifty years of the Cuban exodus with the Carlos Toraño Exodus 1959 50 Years. A limited edition fourth installment was created in 2013, the Toraño Exodus 1959 Finite 2013.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: San Agustin Honduras
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras and Mexico
Factory: STG Estelí
Blender: Charlie Toraño
Number of reviewers: 4 – Matt C. (Big Matt) Eric (smalls29) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Alan (Eulogy)
Price: $7.00
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: General Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“The wrapper has a nice dark drown appearance that is slightly toothy to the touch with a well applied double cap at the head.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 89
“The initial aroma of this cigar is very, very floral in nature. There is also a ripe hay note that brings me back to my youth in the hay loft.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Right off the bat you are hit with a pepper blast both on the exhale and retro. After about 5 pulls, the exhale is rich tobacco, cedar, nuts and toast. Retro is now a sweet cream and dry grass. Finish is medium and is reminicent of dried wood. Profile is Medium/Medium. Construction is top-notch. Ash is firm and more salt less pepper.. all while holding on over an inch. The nut on the exhale is now identified as of the macadamia tree.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“The initial flavors of this attractive cigar are heavy with charred wood and spicy black pepper. Really I’m surprised by this…given the initial aroma I was expecting lots so sweetness…nope, not at the beginning!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Body kicks up to medium-full in the second third, strength still remains medium. Exhale remains much the same with the rich tobacco, cedar, macadamia nuts, bread, and is very toasty. A pleasant rich oil mouth feel is evident on the exhale. Retro is still a sweet cream and grass. Construction is top-notch. Medium/Medium-Full.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“While the overall taste have mellowed just a bit I am still liking how this bold cigar had blended the flavors. Leather, burnt cedar and spices have all complimented each other very well. So far none of them have tried to out do the other. The only downfall is the very tough draw. It has been a chore to smoke. On the plus side a nice chimney has formed.” –Eric (smalls29)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“In the final third, we jump into another chapter of this premium cigar offering. On the exhale a rich coffee creaminess component enters the damn ball with the rich tobacco, cedar and nuts. I really enjoy this cigar because it has just a touch of sweetness and isn’t overpowering. Finish remains medium with the dried wood. Retro is pepper, cream, grass, and toast.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“This continued to maintain a nice balance of flavors. They remained balanced and flavorful. The cedar, leather and spices are very nice. I just wish the draw was better.” –Eric (smalls29)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“Draw had just the right amount of resistance.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
Burn: 94
“Never needed a touch up or relight and held it’s ash very well.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 93
“Nice tight seams, well applied double cap, and no soft spots that I could find. This was a very well rolled cigar.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 89
“This is a very good cigar that could be smoked after your son’s bar mitzvah or after you knock-out some asshole that drank you beer, I digress. Any cigar guy would enjoy this cigar as rich tobacco is very evident on the exhale and palate. The retro had a touch of sweetness that lingered with the cream and grass. That being said if you sit back and pay attention to this cigar you can pick up the nuances in this blend. This is a classic blend and I wouldn’t be surprised if the blender is a descendant of a family rich in tobacco and cigar culture. If the price is right, this premium cigar offering box-worthy.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“This cigar would have rated a GREAT from me if the draw was easier. The flavors started off very bold, mellowed slightly and provided an overall wonderful smoke. From the first smell of cedar and leather to the tastes of burnt cedar, leather and spices, the cigar remained flavorful. The flavors remained well balanced with none of them trying to outdo the other. As mentioned earlier, the flavors and smell reminded me of sitting around campfire. I would love to have one of these again.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Well….it looked nice, And performed exceedingly well. The flavors were not at all to my liking, however…so I guess it’s like Meatloaf said in his song…..Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad….Not something I plan to revisit, unless my cigar was the black sheep of the sample bunch.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“The cigar was just too bitter throughout. The middle showed promise but the final third was as bitter, if not more so, that the first and made it difficult to smoke.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 57
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt C. | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 93 | 93 | 90 | 90 |
| Eric | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 83 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Jason H. | 95 | 97 | 90 | 85 | 88 | 95 | 95 | 97 | 88 |
| Alan | 95 | 90 | 83 | 88 | 83 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 83 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.